Here we are at the last message of the Messy Spirituality series. We have looked at the messes of anger, discouragement, despair, bitterness, guilt, and greed. The mess we are looking at this week is fear. And this list is by no means exhaustive. We are all spiritual beings with human issues. God loves us deeply and completely. He teaches us through His Word and with the help of the Holy Spirit how to clean up these messes. The bottom line about the messes and Jesus' message is our hearts. We need to, according to Proverbs 4:23 (NLT), “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Fear can be helpful in that it alerts us to danger and action; fear can also be crippling for some. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament are filled with “Don’t be afraid..”; “Do not fear…” statements. There are roughly 365 times in Scripture (depending on the translation) that God or an angel says, “fear not” or “do not be afraid.” That’s one for every day of the year. Pastor Adam talked about four damaging effects of fear: paralyzed potential, ruined relationships, lapses in logic, and prelude to panic. We’ll take a deeper look at these effects and also at a powerful verse to memorize and how it can help us walk through the fear. May we invite God in to help us with the mess of fear.
Monday:
Let’s look into a couple of fear’s damaging effects today. First, paralyzed potential. We have all probably had a time in our life when we feared failure or rejection, and it was easier not to try than to try and fail. We each have gifts that God has given us and a call upon our lives. What have we missed out on because we were afraid to try? Another effect of fear is ruined relationships. It is important to realize that our fear can and does affect everyone around us. Parents can have a strained relationship with a child because of their own fears. A boss might be fearful for a number of reasons and really hold back an employee. Fear does affect those you love and those you lead.
Reflection/Action:
Let’s consider this question today as we consider the mess of fear.
Does the Father promise to meet all my needs?
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
Do not let fear steal the potential that lies within or ruin your relationships anymore. Let God meet ALL of your needs in these areas.
Tuesday:
There are two other areas we see fear’s damaging effects. Fear can cause us to have a significant lapse in logic. This can lead us to believe anything that’s out there. And there is an unbelievable amount of junk available. It is common to believe that if we don’t have this or that we are missing out. Sadly, we can so easily buy into fear, and then we are afraid of people and places. Lastly, fear can be a prelude to panic. It can trigger chaos. It raises cult leaders and political tyrants. They are trying to appeal to the fear in people to gain power. God does not want us to be manipulated or paralyzed by fear.
Reflection/Action:
Does God promise to be with me at all times?
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
You may have let fear in and faced a lapse in logic or even found yourself falling into panic. But hold onto this reminder that God is ALWAYS with you!
Wednesday:
God’s Word is powerful. There is a verse in 1 Timothy that is such a great verse to memorize and also to write and keep in a place (or places) where you will see it often!
The verse is 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” It is important to recognize that fear and anxiety are not from God. The list of things to fear is basically unlimited. But when we read 2 Timothy 1:7 we are reminded that God has not given us fear. But He does give us power, love and a sound mind.
Reflection/Action:
Is anything too hard for God?
“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? “ Jeremiah 32:27
Nothing is too hard for God. Even helping you overcome the mess of fear is not too hard for Him. Take hold of His Word and put it in your heart and set it before you to see. Let His Word uproot the fear and replace that spirit of fear with power, love, and a sound mind.
Thursday:
Facing the mess of fear is a real struggle and for some, an ongoing battle. You are not alone. Let’s look at 2 Timothy 1:7 and the word “power.” The verse says, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power… “ Let’s focus on God’s power. His power is greater than anything we face on this earth. And He is with you. Isaiah 41:13 (NIV) says, “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you.” And then we read in Psalm 118:6-9 (NIV) “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? 7) The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies. 8) It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. 9) It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.”
Reflection/Action:
Have others faced things like this and grown?
We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. 2 Corinthians 1:8-10
God’s power raised Jesus from the dead, and His power can take fear away!
Friday:
So the second thing we see God has given us in 2 Timothy 1:7 is love, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love…” Let’s focus on God’s love and ask Him to fill our life with love. 1 John 4:18a (NIV) “There is no fear in love, But perfect love drives out fear…” Pastor Adam talked about two ways love can neutralize fear. The first is: Receiving God’s love for myself! The God of the universe loves YOU!!! Yes!!! YOU!!! Let His love, His perfect love, drive out the fear!!! Secondly, offer God’s love to others. Serving others authentically helps change something inside of us. It takes our focus off of us and our fears and places it on others.
Reflection/Action:
In order to combat fear, allow God’s perfect love to fill you. And as you receive His love and offer it to others, you will see that God’s perfect love drives out fear.
Then ask yourself: Could this situation build my character?
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Romans 8:28,29
Saturday:
The third thing we see in verse 7, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power… and of love and a sound mind.” The phrase “sound mind” in Greek is ordered or disciplined. Is negative thinking running through your head 24/7? Are you thinking of catastrophic situations? Let’s take on God’s sound mind and turn the tables on fear. Instead of imagining the worst-case scenario, discipline your mind to envision what God can do in the situation. This isn’t about ignoring facts and truth, but rather addressing the crippling mess fear can bring into our lives. Answer fear’s questions with God’s Word.
Reflection/Action:
Have you found that you have let your thoughts go to dark and fearful places? Allow the power and truth of 2 Timothy 1:7 to resonate in your mind and heart. And also, 1 John 4:18a. Ask God to help you have His power, to be filled with His love and to pursue a sound mind. As pAstor Adam asked at the end of the sermon, “What does this look like in your life?”
Do you really trust God and His Word today?
John 8:32 (NIV) “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Quick Reference List of good verses to memorize to help combat fear:
Proverbs 4:23(NLT)
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
Joshua 1:9(NLT)
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged.
For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Isaiah 7:4a(NIV)
Say to him, ‘Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid.
Isaiah 43:1(NIV)
But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 Timothy 1:7(NKJV)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Isaiah 41:13(NIV)
For I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.
John 16:33(NLT)
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
1 John 4:18a(NIV)
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,
2 Corinthians 10:5(KJV)
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;